Behind the Scenes: Denise Interchangeable Knitting & Crochet

I’ve known the folks at Denise Interchangeable Knitting & Crochet for years, as we live about 30 miles from each other and sometimes carpool to trade shows. Recently I paid a visit to their office and talked about family, community, and love affairs with yarn. Since you couldn’t be with us, here’s my report. There’s a prize at the end.

A Visit to Denise

Headquarters of Denise Interchangeable Knitting & Crochet

Tucked away in the lush woods of central Virginia is a seemingly non-descript two-story garage. This is no ordinary garage, however. It was purpose-built to serve as the headquarters for Denise Interchangeable Knitting & Crochet. Just steps from owner Linda Krag’s Albemarle County home, the interior of the light-filled workspace is the embodiment of an ideal workspace.

It features high ceilings, spacious desks and work tables, cozy carpet, a comfy sofa, and a kitchenette with full amenities. Skeins of colorful yarn hang on the wall. Large windows and skylights provide plenty of natural light. Indeed, the electric lights are only used on overcast days or during the short days of winter. On the warm September afternoon when I visited, the view from the second floor office was of thick green forest. As the seasons change the scenery will change, as well.

Even the view from the first-floor shipping station is serene.

All Denise kits are shipped from right here.

Company Background

A Denise2Go combo kit combines both knitting and crochet.

Denise Interchangeable Knitting & Crochet makes a variety of products which allow knitters and crocheters to create their own custom-length knitting needles or Tunisian crochet hooks. They sell both wholesale and retail, and you can even order custom-length cords for that super-long afghan knit or crocheted sideways. Check out their website for more product information.

THE original Denise set. Linda liked them so much, she bought the company.

Where did the name come from? The original owners of the company worked with a marketing expert in the ’70’s to come up with a name, and they chose their niece’s name, Denise. It was a popular name at the time, and the marketing person thought it was perfect. Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles was the company name when Linda bought the company in 2002, and she just kept it. They changed the name a bit when they added crochet hooks several years ago.

Keeping it in the Family

Claire’s workspace takes center stage. I understand that it was cleaned up in honor of my visit.

The company is the very definition of a “family business”. Linda and her daughter Emily McKeon are the two full-time employees. When you email the company, your response will come from Emily. If you phone, you’ll be speaking to the CEO/marketing director/bookkeeper/designer/new product developer: Linda. They have one part-time employee and several contract sewers.

Emily’s 6-year-old daughter Claire has been an important member of the staff since birth. She has her own workspace and offers her opinions on fabric and color choices. Who needs “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” when she can be there every day?

Keeping it Local

Cords and needle tips await assembly into Denise2Go kits.

All of the components are made in the Shenandoah Valley.

All of the components that go into the Denise knitting needles and crochet hooks are made in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, supporting my local economy! A company in Weyers Cave provides the phthalate-free tubing used for the cables, while the injection molded tips and other small parts are manufactured in Waynesboro. The cute cloth cases in the Denise2Go kits are made by home sewers.

The locking connection mechanisms are inserted by hand into the tube after the manufacturing process. The cords and tips come from the manufacturer to Denise HQ and are packed and shipped from there. Even those custom cords are cut to order and the locking tips inserted on the spot, then shipped out. Scroll on down to watch a video about this process.

Relationship Building

Denise‘s respect and concern for their customers comes through loud and clear in conversation. Their stated goal is to make people happy about working with yarn. All parts, except cases, are guaranteed forever. If you have a broken component, just send it back for a replacement (although Emily did point out that they aren’t guaranteed against puppy-chewing and car-door-slamming damage).

They love to get emails that say the warmth and flexibility of their needles allow people with hand problems to continue to knit. They love working collaboratively to develop new products. Designer Lorna Miser helped develop the Denise2Go packaging, and crochet designers and teachers, including myself, gave input into the development of the crochet hooks.

Interesting Facts

The most popular colors in China are oranges/reds.

There are a surprising number of shops in China which sell Denise. The most popular colorways in China are oranges/reds, while the most popular U.S. colors are blues/purples.

Through the Pink Project, Denise customers have donated over $200,000 to support immuno-based cancer therapy research.

The company receives many donation requests from prisons. Apparently the plastic resin components are considered non-weapons-grade needles.

Double-pointed color-coded needles are coming! I didn’t get an ETA, but I’ll be sure to let you know when they are available.

Read more about the company on their website, and if you want to try out their products, use the coupon code EDIEto save 15% when you order directly from Denise. It’s limited to one use per email address.

I have loved and used Denise products for years. I recommend them to everyone and gave them as gifts to my wonderful knitting grandsons. I have never had better! And I love the personal service I get every time,❤️

I have dealt with Emily and Linda they are just dolls to deal with my only question is when are we getting our ORANGE tips and cables? I have them all blue pink brights pastels will never go back after the shorts they are my all time favorites but when my youngest daughter comes over for a sleepover (she’s 27) and forgets a tip size she needs she gets into momma’s spares she is not allowed to use my white vintage tips but almost everything else including my yarn she “Borrows” is fair game. I want to know what the little up and comer does for the company? Please bring the USA Orange cables and tips and I will be in heaven well that and a little more snow here in Pittsburgh Pa

I Also love me in America!And I have three Denise2Go kits I use. I have my eye on those new short sharps! My brother and his family live in the Shenandoah Valley. His wife is from there. I told him he has 10 years to find me and my husband a home around them. I have fallen in love with the area. They live in Fort Valley. And now that I K ow Denise is there too, next time I come out for a visit, I will try to find you. Hugs! Steohanie

Hi Tonya and all! So happy you’re enjoying your Denise needles, and thanks for posting! We haven’t forgotten your request for orange, I promise! We’re working with what we have for now, but there’s going to be a new orange fabric appearing soon in our Limited Edition Denise2Go line, so stay tuned. I know it’s not the same as coordinating your yarns with orange needles and cords, but it’s the best we can do for now:-). Happy knitting and crochet, everyone!
Emily

I inherited my mother’s original Denise knitting needles when she passed away in 2000 at 83. I have replaced and supplemented as needed and as new items (short tips and “to-go” kits) became available. They are my go-to needles!

I completely understand…I just can’t wait for the sets with orange and hopefully black to both cables and tips short and long…I wish it was possible to have 0-4 even if it had to be fixed needles versus interchangeable I hope that is in the works too!

I did it. Right after I wrote my post above, I got online and ordered the complete Shorts set in the beautiful red and orange cloth flowered carrier. I think it’s called Summer Flowers? I can’t wait to get them. Thank you.

OK Linda and Emily I am a very patient person but not forgetful Please please please give us orange tips and cables, I would consider giving up my oldest and most handsome son to get those (note he doesn’t know this and I am not telling him he is negotiable for orange needle tips and cables rofl)seriously the sets would be perfect with orange cables and tips, peas and carrots!